The beginning of medicinal uses of plants dates back to the scribing period of Vedas in India. In ancient days, such uses came into vogue due to accidental experimentation or observation which subsequently gave rise to practice either by a qualified physician or by an astrologer or by lay men, called nostrum or folk-lore. All these have their own distinct manner of use though they are very often intermingled. Apart from classical uses as mentioned in Ayurvedic, Unani or Sidha therapeutic treatises, material medica, texts on / pharmacy etc.; the new dimension of collecting additional information started in early part of 20th century where on several botanists contributed a lot for exploration of the same.

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The aerial parts of Coldenia procumbens Linn. (Boraginaceae) are used in indigenous systems of medicine. The market sample is in the form of small pieces or nearly powdered, from which the morphological and anatomical characters are unable to study for the identification and conformation of its authenticity. The present study of physicochemical characteristics like physical constant values, behavior with different chemical reagents, fluorescent behavior and qualitative phytochemical studies were useful to identify the market sample even in the powdered form.

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The present communication reports some medicinal plants which are used as Central Nervous System sedative agent in the traditional system of medicine.

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The antibacterial activity of the aqueous, ethanol and chloroform extracts from the stems of Tinospora cordifolia  was studied using disc diffusion method against Escherichia coil, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter faecalis, Salmonella typhi (Gram-negative), Staphylococcus aureus and Serratia marcesenses (Gram-positive). Results suggest that the ethanolic extract has significant antibacterial activity against tested bacteria. The present study justifies the claimed uses of Tinospora cordifolia  in the traditional system of medicine to treat various infectious diseases.

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Shoot tips and nodal segment explants to Rauwolfia serpentina when cultured on MS medium containing varying concentration of Benzyl adenine purine (BAP) and Benzyl adenine purine in combination with Indole butyric acid (IBA) produced multiple shoots. Maximum multiple shoots (85.6%) were found in static MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mg/ 1 BAP and 0.5 mg / 1 IBA along with 2.5% sucrose and 0.85% agar. The developed shoots after one month were excised from the culture tube and implanted individually on static MS medium with varying concentration of IBA and Indole butyric acid (IBA). Maximum rooting (76.6%) was observed in 0.5 mg/1 IBA after 27 days. Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized and established in soil. About 74% of plantlets survived under open field conditions.

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The role of stress in the aetiology of several diseases is well recognized in Ayurvedic science and modern medicine. The stress is known as sahasa in Ayurveda. Sahasa by causing ojahksaya (loss of immunity) increases the susceptibility of the body to various diseases. Avoidance of stress is the best strategy for treatment and where it is not possible, the body should be well protected by taking appropriate care of the diet and sleep, sleep here indicates adequate rest required by the body. Further, regular intake of several rasayana herbs to increase the coping capacity of the body is advised. Several of these rasayanas have demonstrated significant stress attenuating effects in animal experimentation and scientific efforts are ongoing to logically utilize rasayana herbal formulation in stress management.

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Cissus quadrangularis L. variant II belonging to the family Vitaceae was screened for its activity Hellcobacter pylori (Hp) human isolates. Flowering and vegetative period samples were analyzed. Aqueous (hot and cold) and solvent extracts (acetone, chloroform and methanol) were screened. Among them chloroform was observed to recover bioactive principles with low MIC and MLC. MIC and MLC was 40 μg/ml for flowering period. Whereas for vegetative period MIC was 40 μg/ml and MLC was 40 μg/ml respectively. Extracts from samples collected during flowering period were better than that of vegetative period. The results confirm the traditional use of the plant in PUD.

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In folklore medicine Drymaria Cordata  willd (Fam:Caryophylaceae) is well known plant in Sikkim state, India. The present work summarizes preliminary phytochemical study of leaves of this plant.

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